Image Source: Sports Illustrated
Rockies baseball takes center stage in Denver this week as Colorado prepares to host the Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-game series from Aug. 17 through Aug. 19, 2026. The matchup gives the Rockies an opportunity to challenge one of the National League’s top teams while the Dodgers arrive under significant pressure in the playoff race.
Los Angeles recently lost three of four games to the Milwaukee Brewers at home. That skid left the Dodgers just three games behind Milwaukee for the National League’s best record and placed their pursuit of a first-round playoff bye in a more uncertain position.
Rockies Set Critical Pitching Plan Against Dodgers
Colorado has announced its starting pitchers for the series, beginning with veteran right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano on Monday. Ryan Feltner will follow Tuesday, with Colorado native Kyle Freeland scheduled to start the Wednesday finale.
- Monday, Aug. 17: Tomoyuki Sugano vs. Blake Snell
- Tuesday, Aug. 18: Ryan Feltner vs. Eric Lauer
- Wednesday, Aug. 19: Kyle Freeland vs. Roki Sasaki
The Rockies enter the matchup at 50-74 and remain locked in a close battle with the San Francisco Giants for the National League’s worst record. Colorado also moved into a younger phase after trading away Antonio Senzatela, Brenton Doyle and Victor Vodnik before the trade deadline.
Those departures have changed the look of the club since the Rockies and Dodgers last met in Los Angeles from July 6-8. Los Angeles won two of three games in that series, but Colorado will now have home-field advantage at the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field.
Tomoyuki Sugano Brings Impressive Coors Field History
Sugano has been one of Colorado’s most reliable starters this season. The right-hander is 12-5 with a 4.43 ERA, a win total surpassed by only three National League pitchers. His 3.93 ERA at Coors Field ranks as the third-best all-time mark among Rockies pitchers with at least 10 home starts.
However, his results against Los Angeles have been dramatically different. Sugano is 0-3 with an 8.49 ERA in three career starts against the Dodgers. That history will be tested immediately against a lineup capable of turning a small mistake into a major inning at altitude.
Los Angeles will counter with Blake Snell, who is making his second start since returning from a nearly three-month recovery following a procedure to remove loose bodies from his left elbow. Snell’s return against the Kansas City Royals was encouraging, as he allowed one earned run over six innings while recording 10 strikeouts and issuing one walk.
Eric Lauer Faces Major Coors Field Challenge
Tuesday’s matchup could be particularly important for both clubs. Feltner owns a 5.59 ERA this season and is 1-3 with a 6.19 ERA in eight career appearances against Los Angeles, including seven starts.
The Dodgers will start Eric Lauer, who has enjoyed an unlikely turnaround since joining the team in May after being acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays. Los Angeles has lost only one of the 11 games in which Lauer has pitched, giving the left-hander an extended opportunity because of injuries to Justin Wrobleski and Shohei Ohtani.
Coors Field, however, represents a difficult test. Lauer is 1-6 with a 10.43 ERA in eight career starts there, allowing 34 earned runs across 29.1 innings. If that trend continues, the Rockies could gain an early advantage in the middle game.
Roki Sasaki’s Turnaround Raises the Stakes
Freeland will start Wednesday for Colorado and is approaching another notable franchise milestone. The Colorado native recently became the Rockies’ all-time leader in games started. If he works into the third inning, he will pass Aaron Cook for the club’s career record in innings pitched.
Sasaki enters the finale in strong form. The 24-year-old right-hander is 2-0 with a 2.10 ERA over his last five starts, evidence of a promising midseason turnaround. His biggest concern remains performance against opposing lineups for a third time through the order.
That issue could become central to the series. Should Lauer struggle in Denver, the Dodgers may need Sasaki to deliver a long, effective outing to protect their playoff position. For the Rockies, a series win would provide a valuable boost against a contender fighting for the National League’s top postseason position.
How to Watch the Rockies and Dodgers
All three games are scheduled for a 5:40 p.m. PT start, or 8:40 p.m. ET. The series opener is Monday, followed by Tuesday’s middle game and Wednesday’s finale. Each contest will be televised on SportsNet LA and available through the MLB app.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Rockies play the Dodgers?
The Rockies host the Dodgers in Denver from Aug. 17 through Aug. 19, 2026, for a three-game series.
Who is Colorado’s starting pitcher on Monday?
Tomoyuki Sugano is scheduled to start the series opener against Los Angeles left-hander Blake Snell.
Which Rockies pitcher starts the series finale?
Kyle Freeland is scheduled to pitch Wednesday against Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki.
Why is this series important for the Dodgers?
Los Angeles is trying to stay in the race for the National League’s top two seeds and the first-round playoff bye awarded to those teams.
